Regulating device.



T. DOUGLAS.

REGULATING DEVICE.

APPucATloN r1LEn1uNE17,1916.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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REGULATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1916.

1,23, l1 3 Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THEODORE DU'UGLAS, 0F SCARBORO, NEW YORK.

JREGULATING DEVICE.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

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Application med. J' une 17, 1916. Serial No. 104,257.

y To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, THnonoRn DO UGLAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Scarboro, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements Regulating Devices, of which the followlng 1S a specification. A

My invention pertains to improvements in the regulation of internal combustion engines; particularly internal combustion engines for motor boats, vehicles, and other conveyances; and it has for its object to rovide a construction including contro ing means, such as a throttle valve, for the supply of power fluid; and a regulator, such as governor, for the valve; Whlch are capable vof being easily and quickly adjusted with respect to each other for the purpose of A meeting variations in the conditions under which the engine 1s running; and changes in the desired speed of the engine, corresponding to each set or adjustment of the regulator; whereby a uniform speed of the engine can be maintained and its proper mode of operation assured.

It is well known that ordinary governors for internal combustion engines are designed to act at a fixed maximum speed of the engine to throttle the gaseous fuel; and that they leave much to be desired in practice because the maximum engine speed for most eliicient operation under one load is not the same as for eieient o eration under other working conditions. y invention disclosed herein aims to overcome this drawback by a combination of parts which enables the governor to be connected to the engine and be driven therefrom by-a single shaft or the like;'and at the same time bev provided with means that are always ready at hand and permanently in accessible position to be manipulated; so that the attendant can at any moment change the relation of the governor to the throttle, and thus alter the speed at which the governor will actuate the throttle to reduce the fuel supply.` The governor can thus be set to respond to different speeds, according to the load carried by the engine; or the speed requirementsv of the vehicle; or the special conditions encountered from time to time by the conveyance in its travel.

The purpose of my invention may be best understood by considering the conditions under which an engine operates in a motor boat. At whatever speed the boat may be propelled in rough water, the propeller will alternately be so lifted and depressed by the action o f the waves as to cause the load upon the engine to vary constantly; and at times the load upon the engine will fluctuate between great extremes, as when the. pro eller is deeply submerged lifted out of the water. A considerable va riation in speed results; and this is detrimental to the engine and the boat and extremely unpleasant to the passengers. Under the above described conditions, the manual operation of the throttle is not suiiicient to meet these rapid and extensive changes in the resistance of the propeller.

The purpose of my invention is to take care of these conditions by providing a valve and a regulator or controller therefor of such design as to be immediately responsive to alterations in the resistance to the revolution of the propeller, by terminating or continuing the ow of powerv fluid; and which valve and regulator `will be effective and equally responsive in providing an automatic control at whatever engine speed, and hence for whatever boat speed, the controller may be set to permit. My invention may therefor be designated as a throttle provided with a coacting controller, so designed as to prevent the engine from exceeding a predetermined maximum speed for every throttle position.

On the drawings, which illustrate one or more embodiments of my invention:

Figure 1 is a side view showing an arrangement embodying the features of my invention, mounted upon a power boat;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken through a governor and valve employed in the practice of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a detail;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 5, of a device that may be used in connection with the arrangement shown in Fig. l; and

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

The same numerals are used to identify the same parts throughout.

In the particular description of the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a boat proand then comp etely pelled by an engine 2, and steered by a, wheel 3. In proximity to the engine 1s a casing 4 that incloses in one end means, such as a throttle valve, for controllmg the supply of power fluid to the eizplosion chambers; and at its other end 1s a regulator, such as governor, to actuate the yalve. .This valve and governorare shown 1n detail on Fig. 2, and will be more fully described hereinafter. That portion of the casing 4 which contains the throttle is connected at one end to the carbureter 5, and the other to the intake manifold y6; while the portlon which houses the governor admits a shaft 7 which carries a gear to mesh with a toothed wheel 8; driven bythe valve-cam shaft, for example, of the engine 2. The governor and the throttle of course have a connection between them; and yI provide for adjusting the connection in question -so as to be able to set'the governor for the speeds desired by a flexible shaft or cable 9, that communicates with the inside of the casing 4 and eX- tends therefrom to a point beside the wheel 3, some distance removed. It bears an operating member, such as a wheel 10, whlch can be manipulated by the attendant in the cockpit 11... l

By means of this arrangement, as w1ll be made clear in the following parts of this specification, the regulator is always in condition to be adjusted; and the speed of the engine at which the throttle willact can be changed at any time with readiness and ease to suit the conditions under which the boat is to be run.

By referring to Fig. 2,'the casing 4 will be seen to comprise two sections 12 kand 13; the former containing the regulator 14, and the latter the throttle valve 15. These two sections are joined together in any suitable way. When united they will make a closed chamber for the governor; while the `section 13 will be open at the top and bottom; being provided in effect with a vertical passage through it which correspondsin crosssection to the interior of the fuel supply conduit; and with flanges at its top and bottom to enable the section 13 to beinserted into the conduit and be secured by bolts. The valve 15 is a pivoted grid valve,

mounted to oscillate on a pin 16, and actuated by a reciprocable shaft 17. This shaft is flanked by a pair of arms 18 projecting from the valve 15, and having recessed outer. ends to receive a transverse pin 19 fixed to the shaft 17. The shaft 17 also has a longitudinal threaded bore to admit a threaded element 20, which is directly actuated by the governor when the fuel supply is to be reduced, or, if needbe, entirely cut ofl". The element 20 can be longitudinally adjusted by rotating it in the shaft 17; and through this element the governor can be caused to act at different speeds. Therefore the shaft -the pins 24;

17 and the element 20' constitute atransmis? of the casin 4; and has peripheral notches` that enable 1t to be slidingly engaged by an actuatin member in the form of a yoke consisting o a head or plate 23, and pins or arms 24. These arms fit opposite notches in the wheel 21; but obviously Lif the disk were larger, a pair of holes receiving the arms 24 would answer the same purpose. To the plate 23 is rigidly secured a spindle 25, eX- tending in a direction opposite to that of and this spindle projects through a cap 26 which screws on and ofi' the boss 22. The cap has a central opening through which the spindle passes, and the opening receives in tight-fitting engagement an external bearing 27 for the spindle. The spindle has an exterior collar 28, andthe bearing 27 will be between the collar and the transverse plate 23.; hence axial motion of the spindle will be prevented.

The outer end of the spindle 25 will have a polygonal bore to engage the end of a flexible shaft or cable 29, having a cover or sheath 30. This cable and its sheath are indicated collectively by the numeral 9 in Fig. 1. On its exterior, the bearing 27 will be threaded to receive a sleeve 31 that pro' jects out beyond the end of the spindle 25, and protects the joint between the spindle and the shaft 29; and this sleeve will receive the end of the cover or sheath 3G. I may also provide for locking the cap 26 on the boss 22 by furnishing it with perforated lugs 32, two in number arranged side by side, though one only is shown; and using a locking pin 33. There will be a recess in the boss 22, which will be a continuation of a groove in the edge of the cap; and when the pin 33 is put into this groove and recess, with its eyeleted outer end between the lugs 32, a padlock can be passed through the lugs to prevent withdrawal of the pin and removal of the cap.

Hence by turning the Wheel 10, the element 20 can be manipulated. The cable 9 can eXtend'to'any part of the boat or vessel 1; from the engine room to the pilot house, for instance; and it may have several wheels like the wheel 10 placed at convenient points along its length, if desired.

I shall now proceed to describe the elements which constitute the governor yfor actuating the throttle valve. This governor is of special design and has its peculiar modeof operation. It connects with the shaft 7 through a hollow boss 34 at the en d of the casing 4 remote from the section 13; and comprises a hollow shaft 35 having a bearing in the boss 34,. and carrying adjacent theretoa collar 36. This collar. must rotate with the shaft 35, but can move along the same to a certain extent; and it is united to a' set of centrifugal weights 37 by links 38. Near the section 13, the shaft 35 has a fixed collar 39, that is joined to the weights by similar links. A spring 40 encircles the shaft 35 between the collars 36 and 39, and normally keeps the weights 37 close to the shaft 35. The collar 36 has a transverse pin or bolt 41 which extends through the shaft 35; the latter having slots 42 to receive it; and at its opposite end the governor shaft is supported in a bearing 43, in the side of the section 13. On its interior the shaft 35 has a floating actuating member 44 in Contact at one end with the element 20; and when the Weights move the pin 42 against the other end ofthe member 44, the member pushes the element 2O to the left. This member is of sulicient mass to have considerable inertia, and it likewise has frictional engagement with the inside of the shaft 35. Any fluctuations in the action of the governor due to vibrations, shocks, etc., are suppressed by this member; and the governor freed from the influence of anything but speed factors in its operation. l

The throttle valve is both removably and adjustably mounted in the section 13, and plays an important part in the successful operation of my invention. Tt includes a curved plate 45, having transverse slots constituting parallel ports 46; and the plate is integral with a web 47 having stiifening ribs 48. The web is sector-shaped, and at its center or corner it has a hub or bearing 49, which receives the pin 16. The seat for this valve comprises an annular element 50, encircling a curved web 51, and having a peripheral flange 52 to rest upon a shoulder in the upper end of the bore through the section 13 and enable the member to be removably secured in place. The web has slots 53 corresponding to the slots 46; and may have a transversely reinforcing rib 54. The slots of the valve and the slots of the seat contract toward each other, and give a Venturi-tube effect that produces a uniform mixture of the air andhydrocarbon, such as gasolene. Adjustable bolts 55, one engaging the web 47, when the valve is open; and the other engaging a projection 56 from the bottom of the shaft`17, between the arms 18, when the valve is shut, limit` the range of movement of the valve. These bolts have kerfs in their outer ends, to be turned by a tool; and are accessible within the boss 22, when the cap 26 is olf. The governor moves the valve shut.; and lit is held open by a spring 57, abutting a collar 58 on the shaft 17. This shaft has one'iend in the bearing 43, and its other end in a threaded nut 59, screwed inanf'op'ening in the side of the section 413 at the center of the boss 22. The nut has recessesto be engaged bya tool in itsouter face, and on its inner face it has an annular shoulder to seat the spring 59.

` The utility of my invention will now be apparent. When the boat is moving ahead, the governor is set to actuate the valve at the required speed of the en 'ne; and this speed can be varied as desired.l If the boat pitches or rolls, lifting the propeller out of the water, or otherwise exposing it, the engine is prevented from racing by the governor immediately closing the valve; and as soon as the propeller is again submerged, the governor opens the valve suiiciently to take care of the load on the engine. The governor is thus always in readiness to respond to the power requirements of the engine, and to meet such requirements.

This construction can also be employed on motor cars and trucks as well as boats; yand the engine speed changed in the same way. For low gear service, the governor or regulator can be set to act upon the valve 15 at a` relatively high engine speed; while for high gear service, the governor can be set by the element 20 to act at a relatively low engine speed. Thus the maximum engine speed can be suited and chosen to the load and road conditions, and varied whenever variations in the operating conditions arise to necessitate a readjustment.

Instead of the wheel 10, the device illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 may be connected to the outer end of the cable 9. This device includes a casing 60 in which. is journaled a worm gear 6l. One end of this worm gear projects to the outside of the casing, and carries a coupling 62, having a polygonal bore to receive an end of the cable 9. A screw may be employed tosecure the' cable and thecoupling together. The casing 60 also contains a wormwheel 63 von an arbor 64; and the arbor extends through to the outside of the casing 60 and bears an operating member 'or hand wheel 65. On the same arbor, within the casing 60, is a disk 66 having recesses to be engaged by a latch 67, operated by a cylinder or tumbler lock construction 68. When a key is inserted into this lock, the latch can be moved to engage or release the disk 66. When the disk is released, one turn of the wheel 65 will produce several turns of the worm 61. The

lcasing 60 may have perforated lugs, not

shown, to enable it to be screwed to the side of the cockpit 11, or be provided with a clamp, not shown, so that it can befast'ened to a pipeor rail. It may be employed on either a boat or a lcar, and the lock is useful, to prevent tampering with the governor, when the owner is absent, or to hold the vshaft 9 and the element 20 in adjusted position.

I of course do not wish to be limited to the exact details of my invention herein disclosed; but reserve the right to change the shape, size and arrangement of the structuralv features shown, to the full extent of the"general meanings of the terms in which the claims are expressed.

Havingv described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. The combination of an engine, means for controlling the supply of power liuid thereto, a regulator for the controlling means located at one side thereof, a iiexible shaft on the op osite side of said means, an operating member on the shaft, means yfor adjusting the regulator withl respect to the controlling means, said adjusting means being connected to the shaft, and means -adjacent said member for locking said shaft.

2. The combination of an engine, means for controlling the supply of motive agent thereto, a regulator adjacent said means, a transmlssion device including an adjustable element between the regulator and the controlling means, a shaft carrying said element -coaxially and connected to the controlling means, andV a flexible shaft slidably connected to said element, and having one or more operating members thereon for actuating said element.

3. The combination of means for controlling the supply of power fluid to an engine, a regulator for said means, a transmission device between the regulator and the controlling means, said device including a movable element having a disk thereon, a yoke slidingly engaging said disk, a flexible shaft, and means for connecting the shaft to the yoke, whereby the f regulator may be adl justed through the device, by said shaft.

4. The combination of means for controlling the supply of power liuid to an engine, a regulator for the said means, a transmission device between ythe regulator and the controlling means, said lmeans including a rotatable and longitudinally movable element, a iexible shaft, a spindle joined to the shaft, a yoke on the end of the spindle, a wheel on the element havin notches slidingly receiving said yoke, an means for inclosing said wheel and yoke, providing a bearin for the spindle.

5. T e combination of means for controlling the supply of power fluid to an engine, a regulator for the controlling means, a

s transmission device between the controlling a regulator for the controllingk means, a

transmission device between the controlling means and theregulator, a casing for the controlling means, the regulator and the transmission device, said device comprising an adjustable element extending through the casing to the outside thereof, a iiexible shaft connected to theelement to actuate the same and adjust the regulator with respect to the controlling means, a worm connected to the shaft, a worm wheel meshing with the worm,

a hand wheel for the worm wheel, and a lock comprising a recessed element rigid with the worm wheel, and a latch to engage said recessed element to secure the worm wheel against rotation.

7. The combination of an engine, means for controlling the supply of motive agent thereto, a regulator adjacent said means, a transmission device including an adjustable element between the regulator and the controlling means and a shaft carrying said element, said shaft and said element being coaxial and connected to the controlling means, and a flexible shaft slidably connected to said element, and having one or Amore operating members thereon for actuating said element, whereby the regulator may be manipulated by the liexible shaft through the transmission device.

8. The combination of means for controlling the supply of power fluid to an engine, v

a regulator for the said means, a transmission device between the regulator and the controlling means, said device including a rotatable and longitudinally movable element a flexibleshaft, a spindle joined to the shaft, a yoke on the end. of the spindle, a wheel on the element having notches slidingly receiving the yoke, and means for inclosing the wheel and yoke, providing a bearing for the spindle, whereby the regulator may be manipulated by the spindle through said transmission device.

9. The combination of an engine, means for controlling the supply of power fluid thereto, a regulator for the controlling means located at one side thereof, a transmission device comprising an adjustable element between the-regulatorand the controlllng means, said element extending beyond said controlling means to the opposite side thereof, and means comprising a shaft on the opposite side of the controlling means connected to said element to operate same.

10. The combination of an engine, means for controlling the supply of motive agent thereto, a regulator for the controlling means located at one side of the same, a transmission device between the regulator and the controlling means, said device including an adjustable element extending beyond the controlling means to the opposite side thereof, and means comprising a shaft on the opposite side of the controlling means to operate said element, said means being connected to said element so as to be movable relative thereto.

11. The combination of an engine, means for controlling the supply of motive agent thereto, a regulator for the controlling means, a transmission device between the regulator and the controlling means, said device including an adjustable element, a casing for the regulator, the controlling means and said transmission device, said element projecting to the outside of said casing; means on the outside of said casing to engage said element and operate the same,

and a bearing for said means carried on the outside of sald casing.

'12. The combination of an engine, means for controlling the supply of motive agent thereto, a regulator for the controlling means, a transmission device'between the regulator and the controlling means, said device including an adjustable element, a casing for the regulator, the controlling means and said transmission device, said element projecting to the outside of said casing; means on the outside of said casing to engage said element and operate the same, and a bearing for said means carried on the outside of said casing, said means being connected to said element so as to be movable relative thereto.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 14th day of June, 1916.

THEODORE DOUGLAS. Witnesses:

OSCAR MAUTNER, WALTER WEISS. 

